Grants available soon for community projects

Grants available soon for community projects

Published on 06 April 2021

Community groups are encouraged to apply for funding support through Council’s 2021 Community Development Grants and Community Sponsorship programs.

As part of the 2020 program, over 35 local groups, events and regional ambassadors received Council grants and sponsorship support. Recipients ranged from the Baw Baw Food Relief to Drouin Football Club and everything in between, demonstrating the wide breadth of funding opportunities available.  

With application rounds set to open this month, and further opportunities to follow throughout 2021, now is a great time for local groups and clubs to consider their projects for the year ahead.

Council funding support is divided into two broad streams: Community Development Grants and Community Sponsorship. Both present unique funding opportunities according to different eligibility criteria.

Community Development Grants

Community Development Grants are available to eligible non-profit community groups across three categories: environment, equipment, and minor capital works. All rounds open on Tuesday 13 April at 9.00am. The application process and closing dates vary according to the category of funding.

Minor Capital Works grants provide up to $10,000 to match community contributions towards minor repairs, renovations and associated infrastructure to community buildings/clubrooms/facilities. Environment grants provide funding of up to $5,000 for activities or projects that benefit Baw Baw’s environment. Equipment grants provide funding of up to $5,000 for funding for equipment required for the successful operation or service delivery.

Visit Council’s Community Development Grants webpage for full eligibility criteria and applications. Anyone wishing to discuss their application in further detail may make an appointment by calling 1300 229 299.

If you're thinking of applying for a Community Development Grant but not sure where to begin, join our Zoom call  for an information session where you will learn more about the program. This will be at 7pm on Tuesday 20 April 2021. RSVP your attendance to [email protected] and a link will be sent to you to join us.

Community Sponsorship

Council Community Sponsorship program provides funding support to local community events as well as to ambassadors that positively promote the Baw Baw region.

Eligible events may receive up to $5,000 in sponsorship funding. Eligible Baw Baw Ambassadors may receive up to $500 for individuals or $1,500 for groups or teams.

The next round of sponsorship funding applications is open from 6 April and closing 3 May 2021.

Community events are reminded to consider State Government requirements when planning their events and seek out the COVIDSafe Public Events Framework, noting that the requirements changed recently and that they may be subject to future change.  

Events must be held in Baw Baw Shire and events can be planned to be delivered in the 12 months following the funding decision.

Visit Council’s Community Sponsorship webpage for full eligibility criteria and applications.

Quotes attributable to Mayor Cr Danny Goss

“These funding programs are important to our community and have delivered many outstanding projects over the years. With applications opening soon, I encourage our local community groups and non-profit organisations to start thinking about what projects you’d like to put forward for funding.”

Quotes attributable to Deputy Mayor Cr Michael Leaney

“We’d like to invite all interested community organisations to consider putting in an application for funding. Whether your group is looking to host an event or activity or buy much-needed equipment, this is a great opportunity to get the support you need.”